Hoop shifter, parachute tent and flop clip

ABSTRACT

The present invention features a chalk bag, a parachute tent and a flop clip. The chalk bag features a handle located on the interior of the bag and attached to at least one interior wall, which contains chalk. Chalk is deposited into the handle through an opening in the side of the bag. The opening is outfitted with an integrated funnel to facilitate pouring chalk into the handle. The chalk bag also features a hoop shifter located in a rim portion of the chalk bag, which is a sliding opening and closing mechanism. The parachute tent provides a combination of a parachute and a tent, which is functional as both a parachute and a tent, and once dropped contains all necessary components for the tent with no additional components. The flop clip is a reusable connection mechanism, which utilizes magnets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/531,651 titled “Outdoor Equipment” which was filed on Sep. 7, 2011 and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/454,712 titled “Outdoor Equipment” which was filed on Mar. 21, 2011, both of which are incorporated fully herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to outdoor equipment and more particularly, relates to a chalk bag with integrated funnel and hoop shifter, a parachute tent and a magnetic flop clip.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Chalk bags are typically used by climbers to absorb perspiration from their hands. Perspiration on the hands of a climber can reduce friction, which can be dangerous. Chalk bags have traditionally come in many sizes and shapes. One of the most popular types of chalk that is used in chalk bags is a powdered chalk. The use of powdered chalk that is loose in a bag has had many problems including the chalk escaping from the bag and causing a mess, which is a problem not only while climbing, especially in indoor climbing gyms, but also during transport and storage of climbing equipment. A conventional chalk bag with loose chalk contains dead air space inside so if the bag is crushed, air rushes out of the bag carrying a portion of the loose chalk with it.

Therefore what is needed is an easy to open and close chalk bag that contains loose powder and enables a user to fully chalk their hands while preventing additional chalk from escaping out the opening of the bag. Additionally, it should be easy to fill the bag with chalk without causing a mess.

Supplies are often dropped in remote areas to troops, rescue teams, displaced peoples and other persons via helicopter or airplane. Tents and other types of shelter are often among the supplies frequently dropped. Presently, when tents and other types of shelter are dropped, they are typically packaged together in a larger container and connected to a parachute. The container is released with a parachute and accompanying cords that hold the parachute to the tent. When the container lands, if it is recovered, the contents are distributed and often times every component is put to good use, including the parachute itself, the cords, and the packaging material.

Accordingly, what is needed is a method to have the canopy of each tent act as its own parachute, allowing a wider distribution of aid supplies. Each canopy/tent deployed could also include a modest package of supplies, perhaps up to 20 or 30 lbs., such as sleeping bags, ground pads, water and other items to make each individual deployment a complete survival package. Compared to aggregating supplies in a container, this distributed approach provides some insurance in the event that some deployments land in trees, water, other inaccessible places, or are destroyed on impact due to failed parachute opening.

There are many occasions when someone needs to tie off or contain an item. Many people use zip ties, which are one-time use devices and cannot be reused. What is needed is a device that can be used multiple times. The device should be relatively small and easy to use, reuse and store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features a chalk bag that comprises a body portion with an upper rim portion and an opening located within the upper rim portion, wherein the opening provides access to an interior of the body portion; a handle located within the interior of the body portion, wherein the handle is coupled to at least one portion of an interior wall of the interior of the body portion; a side opening, located on an external portion of the body portion, wherein the side opening allows access to an internal cavity of the handle, whereby chalk is placed through the side opening and into the handle; and a hoop shifter located within the upper rim portion, wherein the hoop shifter is configured to open and close the opening using a pull cord.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a combination of a parachute and a sleeping shelter device, comprises a parachute configured to be released from an air vehicle, wherein the parachute includes a canopy portion, a package portion and connection components, wherein the connection components connect the canopy portion to the package portion and wherein the canopy portion, the package portion and the connection components are configured to construct a tent resulting in no leftover materials.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a connection mechanism comprises an elongated body portion with a small bulbous portion on a first end of the elongated body portion and a large bulbous portion on a second end of the elongated body portion; a first magnet located within the small bulbous portion; a second magnet located within the large bulbous portion; the small bulbous portion configured to fold over towards the large bulbous portion, causing contact between said first magnet and said second magnet, thereby creating a fixably secured circular connection mechanism; and the small bulbous portion additionally configured to fold over a plurality of times until the small bulbous portion fits into an opening of a pocket located on an inner side of the large bulbous portion.

It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a detailed view of the chalk bag of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the hoop shifter of the chalk bag in a closed position of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the hoop shifter of the chalk bag in an open position of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the parachute tent of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the inner side of the flop clip of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the outer side of the flop clip of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1, a chalk bag 200 is provided. The chalk bag 200 is designed to hold a powdered chalk which is used by rock climbers and gymnasts, for example. The chalk bag 200 features a top opening 202, whereby a user can put their hand through the opening 202 in order to access the chalk. The chalk bag 200 features an upper rim portion 204 and a body portion 206. The exterior 208 of the chalk bag 200 is preferably a lightweight coated fabric that is both chalk-proof and at least partially water resistant.

The chalk bag 200 features a handle 210 located on the interior of the bag within the body portion 206. The handle 210 is configured to attach to an interior wall 212 of the chalk bag 200. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 210 is attached to the interior wall 212 at two locations and runs parallel to the opening 202 of the chalk bag 200. The handle 210 is configured to allow the powdered chalk located in the interior of the handle 210 to be transferred to the hand of a user when the handle 210 is grasped by the user from inside the bag 200. The handle 210 may be made from a fleece material or other similar permeable material that allows for the chalk to pass through the walls of the material and onto the hand of the user when the handle 210 is squeezed and otherwise manipulated. The handle 210 preferably has a flattened shape that allows the handle to lay nearly flat when the chalk bag is in a closed position.

Chalk is deposited into an interior 214 of the handle 210 through a side opening 216. The side opening 216 features a closure mechanism (not shown), such as a zipper, hook and loop closure, snap, loop of string or rope, or other similar mechanism. When the closure mechanism is in an open position, a user can access the interior 214 of the handle 210 and deposit chalk into the interior of the handle 210. The closure mechanism can then be closed to prevent the chalk from escaping the handle 210. The side opening 216 is preferably outfitted with an integrated funnel 220. The funnel 220 is preferably constructed from a flexible material such as a coated fabric and provides a simple means for pouring chalk into the funnel 220 and the handle 210 through a funnel opening 224. When not in use the funnel 220 can be compactly folded down over itself and stored inside the handle 210. The funnel 220 may also feature a draw cord 222 that runs around an upper rim 226 of the funnel. The draw cord 222 can be drawn tight, thereby closing the funnel opening 224 and preventing any chalk from escaping out the funnel opening 224 and the handle 210. The funnel opening 224 may alternatively feature a different closure mechanism, such as a zipper, hook and loop closure, snap, loop of string or rope, or other similar mechanism. The closure mechanism of the funnel opening 224 may replace the closure mechanism of the side opening 216.

The chalk bag 200 features a hoop shifter 230, FIGS. 2 and 3, which is contained within a rim portion 204 of the chalk bag 200. The hoop shifter 230 allows the opening 202 of the chalk bag 200 to be easily opened (FIG. 3) and held in an open position and then closed (FIG. 2) by pulling on a pull cord (248 to open and 250 to close). The hoop shifter 230 is contained within the rim portion 204 and is secured within the material of the exterior of the chalk bag 200, which wraps up and around the rim portion and into the interior of the bag.

The hoop shifter 230 includes a first side portion 232 and a second side portion 234. The first side portion 232 is connected to the second side portion 234 with a first flexible portion 240 and a second flexible portion 242. The flexible portions 240, 242 allow the side portions 232, 234 to be essentially parallel when the chalk bag is in a closed position. A first attachment point 252 is located on the first flexible portion 240. A first pull cord 248 is attached to the first attachment point 252 and allowed to exit the rim portion 204 through a first opening 244. A second attachment point 254 is located on a midway point of the second side portion 234. A second pull cord 250 is attached to the second attachment point 254 and allowed to exit the rim portion 204 through a second opening 246. Additionally a first bracing portion 236 is located at a midway point of the first side portion 232 when the bag is in a closed position. A second bracing portion 238 is located at a midway point of the second side portion 234 when the bag is in a closed position.

The pull cords 248, 250 function to move the hoop shifter 230, thereby opening and closing the chalk bag 200. The first pull cord 248 can be moved in a counterclockwise motion, as indicated by the arrow. When the pull cord 248 is pulled by a user, the combination of the flexible portions 240, 242 and side portions 232, 234 slide in a counterclockwise direction until the first attachment point 252, which is located on the first flexible portion 240 is at a position adjacent to the first opening 244. The first pull cord 248 cannot be pulled any further and the chalk bag is now held or maintained in an open position (FIG. 3) and the opening 202 is sufficiently large enough to allow a user to place their hand into the chalk bag and around the handle 210 to transfer chalk onto the user's hand. In the open position, the bracing portions 236, 238 provide stability for the flexible portions 240, 242, thereby creating a circular structure formed from the combination of the side portions 232, 234 and the bracing portions 236, 238.

The hoop shifter 230 can be moved back into a closed position (FIG. 2) when a user pulls the second pull cord 250 in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow. This causes the second attachment point 254 to move to a position adjacent the second opening 246, thereby closing the opening 202. The side portions 232, 234 and bracing portions 236, 238 are preferably made from a thin plastic material that is flexible and smooth. The flexible portions 242, 246 are preferably a fabric material and can be attached to the side portions 232, 234 using any attachment means, such as gluing or stitching. The pull cords 248, 250 are preferably thin cords, however this is not intended to be a limitation of the present invention.

The benefit of the hoop shifter mechanism is that the bag can be in a flat closed position when not in use (FIG. 2 b), with a minimum of trapped air. Without trapped air, the loose chalk contained in the bag is unlikely to be blown out of the bag in the event the bag is crushed. After transport or storage, the hoop shifter can be easily moved to an open position (FIG. 3) allowing a user to access chalk held within the bag. When the chalk bag 200 is in a closed position, the bag can preferably be rolled up or folded over to create a small portable chalk bag that is not much larger than the size of the rim portion. The directional movement of the hoop shifter 230 is not intended to be a limitation of the present invention, as the design could also function in a clockwise direction.

In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 4, a parachute tent 500 is provided. The parachute tent 500, which is a combination of a parachute and a tent, is functional as both a parachute and a tent and may feature poles, strapping, a floor, side walls, guy lines, as well as any other tent components necessary for the operation of the specific tent. The parachute tent 500 is designed to be dropped from an air vehicle, such as a helicopter or airplane. The parachute tent 500 will contain all necessary components for the tent with no additional components required to assemble the tent. For example, the chute portion 502 may double as the fly sheet, rain fly or an optional groundcover tarp or another part of the tent. The connection means 504 that connect the chute 502 to the package portion 506 may double as the guy lines, the poles or another part of the tent. The package portion 506 will feature the remainder of the tent supplies, which will be any other supplies necessary to assemble a particular tent. The package portion 506 will feature an outer material 508, which will also be another part of the tent. When the parachute tent is dropped from the air vehicle, a tent can be constructed on the ground from the parachute tent materials with no leftover materials, thereby eliminating waste from an unusable parachute.

In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a flop clip 600 is provided. The flop clip features an elongated body 602 with a small bulbous end portion 604 on a first end 608 of the elongated body and a large bulbous end portion 606 on a second end 610 of the elongated body. Both the small bulbous end portion 604 and the large bulbous end portion 606 feature a magnet 612, which may be a rare earth magnet. The magnet 612 may be attached to an outer portion of the flop clip or may be located within a layer of material. The small bulbous end portion 604 is configured to fold over towards the large bulbous end portion 606 thereby creating a fixably secured circle.

The flop clip 600 can be used in many situations, much like a zip tie, but the flop clip can be used multiple times. The multi-use feature of the flop clip makes the flop clip particularly useful in application such as to tie back a tent door or window. The end portions can be attached to hold back the door and then released as necessary. When the flop clip 600 is not in use, the small bulbous end portion 604 can be folded over a plurality of times until the small bulbous end portion 604 can fit into an opening 622 of a pocket 614 located on an inner side 618 of the large bulbous end portion 606.

When folded for storage, the flop clip 600 has a very small footprint that can be easily stored. The flop clip 600 may also feature a pull tab 616 located on an outer side 620 of the flop clip where the elongated body 602 meets the large bulbous end portion 606. The pull tab 616 allows for ease of removing the small bulbous end portion 604 from the pocket 614. A user can pull on the pull tab 616, thereby releasing the small bulbous end portion 604 from the pocket 614 through the opening 622.

Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A chalk bag comprising: a body portion with an upper rim portion and an opening located within said upper rim portion, wherein said opening provides access to an interior of said body portion; a handle located within said interior of said body portion, wherein said handle is coupled to at least one portion of an interior wall of said interior of said body portion; a side opening, located on an external portion of said body portion, wherein said side opening allows access to an internal cavity of said handle, whereby chalk is placed through said side opening and into said handle; and a hoop shifter located within said upper rim portion, wherein said hoop shifter is configured to open and close said opening using a pull cord.
 2. A combination parachute and a sleeping shelter device, comprising: a parachute configured to be released from an air vehicle, wherein said parachute includes a canopy portion, a package portion and connection components, wherein said connection components connect said canopy portion to said package portion and wherein said canopy portion, said package portion and said connection components are configured to construct a tent resulting in no leftover materials.
 3. A connection mechanism comprising: an elongated body portion with a small bulbous portion on a first end of said elongated body portion and a large bulbous portion on a second end of said elongated body portion; a first magnet located within said small bulbous portion; a second magnet located within said large bulbous portion; said small bulbous portion configured to fold over towards said large bulbous portion, causing contact between said first magnet and said second magnet, thereby creating a fixably secured circular connection mechanism; and said small bulbous portion additionally configured to fold over a plurality of times until said small bulbous portion fits into an opening of a pocket located on an inner side of said large bulbous portion.
 4. An opening and closing device for opening and maintaining open an opening in a flexible material and for closing said opening, said device comprising: a first side portion coupled to a second side portion, wherein a first end of said first side portion is coupled to a first end of said second side portion with a first flexible portion and wherein a second end of said first side portion is coupled to a second end of said second side portion with a second flexible portion, wherein said first and second flexible portions are configured to allow the first and second side portions to be disposed essentially parallel to one another when in a closed position; a first attachment location disposed on the first flexible portion; a first pull cord, coupled to the first attachment location, wherein said first pull cord is configured to open said opening when pulled by a user; a second attachment location disposed at approximately a midway point of the second side portion; and a second pull cord, coupled to the second attachment location, wherein said second pull cord is configured to close said opening when pulled by a user.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device further comprises a first bracing portion located at a midway point of the first side portion when said opening is in a closed position and a second bracing portion located at a midway point of the second side portion when said opening is in a closed position.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein when said device is in the open position, the first bracing portion is disposed adjacent the second end of said first side portion and the second end of said second side portion and the second bracing portion is disposed adjacent the first end of said first side portion and the first end of said second side portion, wherein said first and second bracing portions are configured to provide stability for the first and second flexible portions thereby creating a circular structure formed from the combination of the first and second side portions, the first and second bracing portions and the first and second flexible portions.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein said opening is an opening of a bag, and wherein said device is configured to open and close said opening of said bag.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said bag is a cloth bag, and wherein said opening of said cloth bag includes a cloth rim portion formed by a pocket in said cloth, and wherein said opening and closure mechanism is located within said rim portion of said cloth bag.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said first pull cord exits said cloth rim through a first opening and wherein said second pull cord exits said cloth rim through a second opening, wherein said device is configured to be opened by pulling said first pull cord in a first direction which causes the flexible portions and side portions to move in said first direction until the first attachment location on the first flexible portion is at a position adjacent to the first opening and the second attachment location on the second flexible portion is at a position adjacent to the second opening.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said device is closed by pulling said second pull cord in said first direction, thereby causing the second attachment location to move to a position adjacent the second opening.
 11. The device of claim 5, wherein said first and second side portions and said first and second bracing portions are constructed from a thin plastic material that is flexible and smooth.
 12. The device of claim 4, wherein said first and second flexible portions are configured to be attached to the first and second side portions using an attachment means.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said attachment means includes gluing or stitching.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein said first opening is located approximately 180 degrees from said second opening. 